Xbox One Reputation System Is A Game Of Red Light-Green Light

Microsoft is set to streamline its feedback and reputation system when the Xbox One launches in November. The company has revealed more details about how the new moderation system will be woven into the matchmaking process.

Microsoft has taken two key steps in improving the reputation system. First, it makes the rating system more accessible, while also taking into account user actions like blocking and muting. Second, reputation will be color-coded and easy to see when looking at a profile.

Green means "Good Player," yellow denotes "Needs Improvement," and red indicates someone who should be avoided. Reputation is a factor of time and action, with behavior factored against the hours someone interacts on the platform.

Microsoft is instituting a mechanism to help reform poor actors, with a notification system that alerts "Needs Improvement" players before they land themselves a red player card. One of the concerns our readers had after we published our first report about the new reputation system was opportunity for abuse.

Microsoft has stated that a few bad reports won't negatively impact an otherwise stand-up player. It factors in the reputation of the person reporting and whether or not those filing the report actually played with the subject (with significant weight on those that have shared a game).

Xbox Live program manager Micheal Dunn has assured that the reputation system is living, and it will improve as more titles and players come on board. New consequences for offenders could also be added, though we expect that the banhammer will be polished and ready at launch.

Our TakeThis new detail about the reputation system evidences a great deal of forethought, creating an easier way to report poor sportsmen while providing new transparency. The effort to redeem and reform those trending toward the "jerk" category is admirable, too.

Microsoft is smart to state up front that the new reputation system will be a living one. There is much to learn from player interaction, especially as new titles take advantage of the increased power of next-generation consoles.